Search suspended for overdue Arlington hiker

MARBLEMOUNT -- The official search for an overdue hiker from Arlington has been suspended in east Skagit County.However, a search party led by the man's sons is expected to continue scouring the rugged terrain Friday and Saturday.Thom McCoy, 61, left Aug. 7 and was believed to be hiking in the area of Found Lake near Marblemount, Skagit County Sheriff's Office chief criminal deputy Don McDermott said.McCoy's family became concerned Aug. 10 when the Darrington millworker hadn't returned and they contacted the sheriff's office the next day. They described McCoy as an experienced hiker who was familiar with the Found Lake area. He was looking forward to taking pictures and going fishing on his trek.McCoy's silver Subaru Forester was found near the trailhead off Cascade River Road, McDermott said.Skagit County search and rescue crews began looking for McCoy on Aug. 11 with the help of other agencies, including the National Park Service, U.S. Customs and Border Patrol and the Snohomish County Sheriff's Office, which provided a helicopter team.The search was expanded to cover a larger area over the past few days, but there was no sign of McCoy, McDermott said.The search was suspended Thursday morning.Helga Roberts, a friend of McCoy's family, said the missing hiker is experienced in the woods and packed plenty of food and provisions."He knows to stay put and hope help will come," she said. Devin McCoy, 25, is one of the missing hiker's sons. He hopes other experienced hikers will join the search. The trail is steep, rising 3,000 feet in a little over one mile, he said."This isn't an easy hike," he said.Some hikers will stay overnight Friday. Others will search trails Saturday.Devin McCoy's brother, Sean, will be at the trailhead with food, supplies and communication equipment Saturday.People interested in helping out with the search can call 206-779-3007. Eric Stevick: 425-339-3446, stevick@heraldnet.com

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